This summer the Mansfield Middle School hosted its first-ever STEAM Summer Program. Upcoming 5th-grade students through eighth grade participated in this voluntary program. The STEAM initiative is an educational program designed to encourage student learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. The following students participated: Zach Miller, Colt Allbritton, Brantley Whittaker, Elexis Powell, Bryson Wingate, Cordell Stone, JonMark Lennon, Daymian Powell, Dixie Wingate, Lilah Powell, Enya Trinh, Eva Trinh, Rylie Moore, and Easton Altman.
Though this group created several smaller projects, there were two large-scale challenges that were their focus. Both of these projects were not only educational and fun, but they also fulfilled a greater purpose of community service. Despite the difficulty of the challenges and the heat of the summer, these kids willingly showed up day after day, ready to work hard.
The first large challenge was a recycling project made from tires that resulted in playground equipment for the Mansfield City Park. Many thanks to Cherokee Tire for donating all of the tires for the project. All of the tires were cleaned, painted, and joined together to create rideable models of modes of transportation. They created a tractor, a race car, and one of the modern-day slingshots. A special thanks to Mike Beran and Ronnie Black, both previous long-term maintenance supervisors for the Mansfield School District, who volunteered their help hauling and installing the projects at the park.
The second large challenge included two parts, starting with the kids painting on large rocks to look like children’s book covers of their choosing. The kids did a fantastic job painting their “books.” A great thank you to Renea Bryan for donating the rocks. The bigger and more difficult part of the challenge was to paint a large mural on the wall under the awning leading into the Sebascott Public Library located on the backside of the Mansfield City Hall. The painted “books” can be found along with the mural.
Thanks to the Mansfield School District for providing this awesome opportunity! It wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and effort of Dimity Beran, Kim Boyd, Becky Vanelli, Renea Bryan, Amanda Wilson, Angie Morris, and Kandis Howard.
